Ok, so general discussion about the Mustafar duel here. #1. Which would you prefer, keeping it blue vs blue, or red vs blue? I like the blue vs blue, and it makes sense that Ani didn't have time to go construct a new Sith saber... but it would've been cool to see DV rocking the red before the suit I think.
I think what he meant is if Anakin's lightsaber color should had been red instead of blue during his fight with Obi-Wan in Mustafar, Bazinga'd.
I think in time Anakin would have switched over to red colored blade. After all that is the Sith's signature color, but between hunting down Jedi and Separatists, he probably hadn't found time. Plus if had already switched over, Obi-Wan wouldn't have Anakin lightsaber to give to his son, Luke all those years later.
The blue looks great against the red backdrop of Mustafar. A red lightsaber wouldn't, and the aspect of colour contrast is something that has been ever-present in the lightsaber duels. Blue and red contrast beautifully. Green and red as well. Blue and blue obviously doesn't (neither would blue vs green), but since the enviroment is red it works well anyway. And we get the red lightsaber (and green) in the Emperor vs Yoda duel that is going on at the same time. Also, the blue vs blue colour scheme emphazises the fact that we're watching brother vs brother. I wouldn't want it any other way.
I agree that blue was the better choice. The thematic reasons are mostly why. The brother v. brother angle is the obvious one. But there's also the idea that Luke's inheritance from his father -- a gift surely prized by Luke for being a symbol of his heroic father -- was in fact also a Sith blade which was used as an instrument in the murder of innocents. And I think the color blue also makes sense for reasons less poetic ("When would Vader have had the opportunity to switch to a red saber?"). But that said, I think the red probably would have looked alright against the backdrop of Mustafar: Edit: To be fair, watching through the video again, there are a few instances where the red is a little washed-out (but then, who knows how much better Lucasfilm may have been able to make it work?). I'll re-phrase and say I think it "mostly" looks alright.
I doubt ILM would've been able to do it better honestly (then again, I never liked the look of the lightsabers in AOTC and ROTS). But watching that video, I stand by my earlier statement. It is just visually uninteresting for me. I'm very much a colour person, and I love to play with contrasting colours in photography, designs and films, and I really didn't think that red lightsaber looked good against the reds of Mustafar. But of course it's all subjective And you are right, the thematic reasons are the most important ones!
Color is very important! Particularly for such a visual artist as George Lucas. My only thought might be that Vader wielding a red saber, and the fact that it now blends as it does with the climate of Mustafar, can be taken as symbolic, in and of itself. Vader is now one with his kingdom of ash and brimstone (an aggressive and fiery tumult which destroys and then, ultimately, forges anew). And then we're left with noble Obi-Wan and his blue saber. The lone calming symbol of light left in a world almost entirely made up of reds, oranges and blacks. But I still prefer the official version.
Huh - good point! Not in a million years would I have thought of that. I tip my hat in your general direction!
Actually, back in the "spoil me for episode III" days on the JCF, there was once a rumour that Anakin's blade would slowly change from blue to red as the duel progressed, to ultimately show his anger and hatred fully taking over. Interesting you'd say that.
Actually, back in the "spoil me for episode III" days on the JCF, there was once a rumour that Anakin's blade would slowly change from blue to red as the duel progressed, to ultimately show his anger and hatred fully taking over. Interesting you'd say that. ------------ I remember that thread
Functionally, Anakin's blue blade allowed him to approach former allies without any suspicion that he had changed allegiances.
Thanks Bazinga'd And yeah, I get that it allowed him to infiltrate the Temple during Order 66 and be seen as another Jedi from far away, but wouldn't that backfire too? The clones could've easily shot at him, too. I'm not really asking about practicality so to speak, but more so, would you rather see him with a red blade during the Mustafar slaughter and duel.
I remember being surprised and disappointed that Anakin didn't get a red saber in Rots. In retrospect it was probably for the best. Blue vs blue in the fight represents brother vs brother, and it helps continuity that Obi-Wan takes the saber after Anakin is symbolically "dead" to him. Also, Luke in ANH and ESB is significantly using his father's saber, a weapon Anakin did a lot of bad stuff with in ROTS, foreshadowing that he may follow Anakin's path. He only loses the saber when Vader dismembers Luke and reveals his true identity. Luke then constructs his own saber, perhaps signifying that he is becoming his own man and isn't destined to end up like Vader.
Interesting point, Hevy. I like the symbolism, never thought of it that deeply. I know Luke constructing a saber is an important part of his identity and individuality as a Jedi Knight, but never thought about the importance of him distinguishing himself from his father. If Lucas did do this on purpose, it's just one more show of his genius.
